South Africa name Mamelodi Sundowns coach for inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup

South Africa will compete at the inaugural FIFA Under-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan next month, with Mamelodi Sundowns junior coach Selekedi Mogale appointed to lead the national team.

The tournament is scheduled to begin on 22 October, marking South Africa’s first participation in the new global competition for Under-15 players.

Mogale has already worked with the country’s youth set-up this year, having taken charge of the South Africa Under-16 national team. His appointment means he will now oversee the group selected to represent the nation at the tournament in Azerbaijan.

The South African Football Association (SAFA) confirmed the country’s participation and Mogale’s role as preparations continue for the event.

SAFA technical director Molefi Ntseki welcomed the decision by world football’s governing body to introduce an Under-15 World Cup, saying the competition would give young players valuable experience in an international environment.

“First of all, we need to applaud FIFA for this great initiative, and gratitude also goes to our Association for allowing us to participate in this global event. We are delighted to be part of this magnificent tournament as this is what many nations, especially on the African continent, have been calling for as we need to start them young in international environments,” Ntseki said, as per SAFA’s website.

Ntseki said South Africa’s approach would be focused on both competing and developing players for the future, rather than treating the tournament solely as a results-based exercise.

“We do not take this lightly and will put together a strong team that will not only go there to compete but most importantly, to also learn because this helps our efforts to build a perfect career pathway from the juniors all the way to the top. This is what we mean when we talk about development.

The creation of the Under-15 event is viewed by SAFA as an opportunity to strengthen the pathway between youth football and the senior national side. Ntseki said exposing players to international competition at an earlier age would support their long-term progress and help develop a clearer route through the national teams.

South Africa’s participation also comes during a period in which the country has appeared at several major international football events. Bafana Bafana took part in the recently concluded World Cup, while South Africa have also qualified for the FIFAe World Cup.

“We are also excited to be taking part in another World Cup, coming shortly after Bafana Bafana’s participation in the recently ended tournament, and coming at the back of our qualification in the FIFAe Word Cup. So it’s another World Cup for South Africa and we are delighted to be part of the global movement not just by name but by participation.”

The Under-15 side will therefore become the latest South African national team to take part in a World Cup competition, with Mogale tasked with guiding the young squad through the inaugural tournament in Azerbaijan.